Utah - Zion in April? snow and ice??

[bluelab]

Planning a ride up from Phoenix through Page, AZ into Bryce and Escalante, UT on March 28 - April 5.

Is this too early in the season? High chance of snow and ice - dangerous roads, or will I be OK?

Actually planning to ride to Escalante around March 28 and stash my bike for a week while hiking in the canyons there. Then back to Phoenix April 5.

thanks!

-bluelab

[sanfam93]

Originally Posted by bluelab

Planning a ride up from Phoenix through Page, AZ into Bryce and Escalante, UT on March 28 - April 5.

Is this too early in the season? High chance of snow and ice - dangerous roads, or will I be OK?

Actually planning to ride to Escalante around March 28 and stash my bike for a week while hiking in the canyons there. Then back to Phoenix April 5.

thanks!

-bluelab

I am planning a trip also with the same question.

http://www.utah.com/weather/

[8850]

I live in SLC and had ridden this area a lot and it is hard to say what the roads will be like during your trip as the weather on the route can vary significantly by elevation even on the same day. Your best bet is to research the DOT site before you leave and watch the weather for a few weeks before your trip. Riding during the warmer parts of the day when light frost or black ice may have melted is also a good idea. A call to Zion Harley might also give you some more detail about road conditions. Sorry to be vague and hope those suggestions help.

[sanfam93]

Thanks, so how many days needed to enjoy Utah. Ride should inculed HWY 12 I hear it very good. we are planning a no reservations road trip how is gas and hotels ?

[8850]

You could ride that area in as little as a day but to really see all the great parks, back roads, scenic canyons if you take weeks. The best resource for hotel, gas and, most of all, routes is the Harley road planner on the Harley website. There is a listing of scenic rides and suggested routes with time-frames. The online tool parallels the HD Rand McNally map in that it is geared towards motorcyclist.

[bluelab]

Good to know. I have DOT links and phone numbers of a cafe or two up by Bryce Canyon. So I'll keep an eye on the weather patterns.

I have ridden this route (highway 12!) in the summer. It is the among the most beautiful rides I have been on. Can't wait to get back there.

Thanks for your input.

-bluelab

Originally Posted by 8850

I live in SLC and had ridden this area a lot and it is hard to say what the roads will be like during your trip as the weather on the route can vary significantly by elevation even on the same day. Your best bet is to research the DOT site before you leave and watch the weather for a few weeks before your trip. Riding during the warmer parts of the day when light frost or black ice may have melted is also a good idea. A call to Zion Harley might also give you some more detail about road conditions. Sorry to be vague and hope those suggestions help.